This move was one I had considered for a long time. In fact, the chickiebabe and I were pretty sure we were going to move here when I got the news about my mom’s death in 2004, and that threw everything into a tailspin.<\/p>\n
One of the reasons I resisted for so long was because it felt like “the ‘burbs.” I had grown up in burbs (in Memphis), had lived in burbs in San Diego, and in Cupertino. In fact, aside from a brief slice of time in college ghetto housing, I had lived in the burbs my entire life. I wasn’t really enthusiastic about moving again to just another slice of Generica. So not enthusiastic, that when the girl and I finally decided to move after 10+ years in Cupertino, it was to San Francisco, for my first taste of the big, bad city.<\/p>\n
And I liked living in SF, I really did. Despite the 1:20 commute each day (each way), despite having the car keyed, despite having the bus broken into and the dash torn up, despite the cats pissing\/spraying\/marking their territory on an all-too-regular basis, despite having to move the vehicles twice a week to avoid the street cleaners, despite all of that madness, I really liked it. I loved our view of the bay, I loved the easy access to the fabulous art scene in SF, I loved the eclectic and exciting food options always available.<\/p>\n
But we moved anyway, for a variety of reasons. And I’m very happy to say that these are not the same burbs I have been used to my entire life. If I didn’t think it sounded pretentious, I’d say it feels a bit like living in a small European village (like I have the experience to make such a comparison). Rather than being out in the distant burbs where the least thing requires a car, instead I find myself right next to the little town center. I’m within trivial walking distance of several tasty indy restaurants, my bank, the library (open seven days a week; take that, CA!), the post office, a small movie house and a smattering of shops. I’m also within easy walking distance of the area light rail.<\/p>\n
And yet the place still carries a small town feel and charm to it, which I’m really enjoying. I’ve met a few of my neighbors, and I’m planning an event to meet many more of them. We’re having dinner most every night with The Neighbors, sometimes with food cooked by us, sometimes by them, and most often a bit of both. And because I’m working at home, my five minute breaks away from the computer can be spent punching down dough to let bread rise, or tasting a soup that’s simmering for dinner.<\/p>\n
So far, I would say everything has turned out better than I had hoped for, indeed, better than I could have expected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"